Better Off Ted (Season 1)

Like some great shows before it, I was hesitant to watch Better Off Ted when commercials first began to air. The title was kind of dumb (still kind of is), the premise seemed 50/50 at best, and it appeared to be too sitcom-y for my taste. Yet, when the show was scheduled to hit the air, I was on the couch, ready. Good buzz, a solid looking cast, so why not try it? I would have skipped Arrested Development too, had I not got this strange pull from the commercials. I assumed I'd be let down, but tried it anyways, and thank god for that. Risk is sometimes the ingredient necessary to find really quality shows.

So Better Off Ted began and right from the get-go I was hooked. The writing was sharp and funny, each cast member handling their lines with just the right amount of over-the-top. I like all the characters, though scientists Phil and Lem are probably ranked just a little bit higher than most. But I return to the writing, which is probably the reason I love this show so much. The first seasons strongest episode is the fourth, titled "Racial Sensitivity," holds nothing back and goes for broke. I hadn't laughed that hard at a single episode of television since...well, probably since Arrested Development. There is nothing too strange for the show to handle, and that leaves an unlimited source for jokes. Plus, the fake Veridian Dynamics commercials they play near the beginning of every episode are awesome. Certainly, the show isn't perfect, but most episodes were solid if not brilliant. And because ABC decided to give the show a second season, there may be some (hopefully) positive changes that will lead to an even stronger season. The dysfunctional office comedy has seen success in recent years, with the likes of 30 Rock and the aptly titled The Office, and Better Off Ted has earned its place beside the two. If subsequent seasons are as strong as those other shows following seasons were, then the world is in for a treat. So now maybe more will watch and I won't have to see another great television series end too early.

Genre - Comedy (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (3)

Angel (Season 1)

Spin-off shows are fascinating creatures, existing only due to the inventive minds behind another show dreaming up the character(s) first, allowing them life in their own show. Angel is one such show, following the titular character who was first featured on the Joss Whedon show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Whedon is responsible for Angel too, creating the show when Angel no longer was needed as a love interest for Buffy. While the two shows deal with supernatural forces, Angel is more grounded in a private eye/procedural structure. Angel is hired for cases and solves them, all with the help of his friends. Like Buffy, Angel is nothing without the supporting cast. Cordelia, a Buffy alum, and Doyle are just as important as Angel himself. And when Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, who also comes from Buffy, arrives part way through the first season, he too becomes integral. The first season is much lighter than what eventually follows, much like Buffy, which found darker story lines in its third season, when Angel was just beginning. But most of the writing staff had connections to both shows, so that only makes sense. There is much to love about Angel, especially in the different directions both the show itself and its characters (the transformation of Cordelia and Wesley being key). Another Whedon hit.

Genre - Supernatural (3.25)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

John From Cincinnati (Season 1)

Watching John from Cincinnati made me think about a world where Lost ended its run long before questions could be answered. Chilling, for sure, but more importantly, it would be unfair. That's how I felt with John from Cincinnati. Questions were being asked, but the show never really got a chance to answer them. But where Lost began more conventionally, only later delving into intense mythology, and thus allowing additional seasons, John from Cincinnati jumps right into it, leaving viewers confused. Apparently, most were not willing to wait for the story to unravel, and abandoned ship before anything truly powerful could be developed. But the episodes that do make up the first, and only, season are quite good. The show follows the famous, surfing Yost family - a group as great at surfing as they are at being completely dysfunctional. Everyone has problems, even the peripheral characters who enter into their lives, leaving a stranger named John, likely not from Cincinnati as he states (read: mimics), who has some mysterious powers and seems to be able to read the future, yet cannot string together a coherent sentence unless he repeats others. Suffice it to say, John is an interesting character, and the way he interacts with the Yost's is compelling enough to lead you through the first season even though you know there is nothing to follow. Which, as it happens, is what I advise you to do. Now. Go forth and discover the mind-bending world of John from Cincinnati. Okay, that's it.

Genre - Drama (3.5)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (2)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Season 1)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was and continues to be one of my favorite television series of all time. It was influential, not only because it was a bad ass supernatural show, but because it also was the beginning of creator Joss Whedon's long and, at times, frustrating career. Bringing Buffy to television was a way for Whedon to fix what went wrong with the film version from the early nineties. Season one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is by no means perfect, in fact it is a little stilted, but maybe it's the series quirky charm, or the irresistible pull of nostalgia, that makes me care so little. I assume that if I'm watching a Joss Whedon show, especially one so young, that there will be complications (from the studio or otherwise) and rocky episodes. Kinks will be worked out, so I have little to fear. The scripting on a number of episodes is outstanding, and so is the directing, but neither are consistent enough to make the first season perfect. Same with the acting, but each of the series leads grow into their parts by the finale to make the journey worthwhile. Luckily, six more seasons would follow, most of them exceptional. But, all said and done, season one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was what hooked me, so that is all the praise it needs.

Genre - Supernatural (3)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

Battlestar Galactica (Season 1)

Perfection is hard to come by. Especially in television, where an entire seasons worth of a show must work in order for the whole of it to succeed. Battlestar Galactica is one of those perfect shows, and the first season is a wonder to behold. Sadly, BSG is one of those shows that most wont watch based on solely its title, its premise, or its cheesy predecessor of the late-70s. That doesn't even account for those who tried it, but couldn't stomach the social and political commentary. Yes, BSG is a sci-fi show about spaceships fighting a race of robotic killers, but that is just surface stuff. Battlestar Galactica is not really about spaceships or killer robots, but about life, and what if means to live in a hopeless world (or universe, to be more precise). The show is serious, commenting on the state of world and politics, but also knows how to have fun. There are stunning scenes of battle, where humans shoot down enemy Cylon raiders, and vice-versa. Something about space battles will always be cool. But, again, the cast and crew are the real winners here. The writing staff is about the best you'll ever hope to assemble (and on the SCI-FI channel?). Then you have the acting talent of Edward James Olmos, who kicks so much ass as Bill Adama that you'd want to think twice about even looking at him wrong. Not to mention Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Katee Sackhoff, and Michael Hogan, who round out the amazing ensemble cast. Battlestar Galactica is not just another Star Trek, it is more. It is one of the finest television shows you probably never watched, and all I can hope is that someday you will.

Genre - Drama/Sci-Fi (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Breaking Bad (Season 1)

AMC is quickly proving itself as a force to be reckoned with. Where HBO once ruled the ballsier, cutting-edge side of television, AMC (along with other cable channels like FX) is proving pay cable stations aren't the only ones who can have fun. Mad Men was AMC's first big hit, but Breaking Bad is the more compelling show. Breaking Bad tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who starts cooking meth with a former student to make some extra cash. Oh yeah, he also has lung cancer. Cranston is stunning in the role, and is so transformed from other roles that you often forget you're watching an actor. Vince Gilligan, the creator of X-Files, has created a brilliant series, and he keeps the drama flowing, and the intrigue mounting. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Breaking Bad is the fact that the show doesn't seem to demonize meth, but also avoids glorifying it. Morality is a prominent theme in the series, and the show constantly challenges viewers perspectives. Plus, AMC allows the show to throw profanity and drug images around, which is nice. Stunning work.

Genre - Drama (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Friday Night Lights (Season 1)

It's nice to see a television series can successfully adapt, and even transcend, one of the best football films of the last decade. Friday Night Lights focuses on the Dillon Panthers, a Texas high school football team. Two things seem destined to destroy this show, however. One, people think it is a show about football. Wrong. It is just an aspect of the show, but you need no real football knowledge to understand the themes and stories. Two, that it is about teenagers in high school and holds no emotional or intellectual weight. Wrong, again. It is a tightly written, smart show that uses a football town to relate to the larger world. Much like Veronica Mars, another high school centered show that was really for those long out of it. The cast is wonderful, especially when it comes to the work of Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, and the Zack Gilford/Jesse Plemons combo. A finer season of television will be hard to come by, so give Friday Night Lights the chance it deserves, if only to keep it from cancellation.

Genre - Drama (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (3)

Flight Of The Conchords (Season 1)

You wouldn't think it'd be so hard to find a truly funny television series, but it is. And then a funny show that can be watched on dozens of repeated viewings? Dare I say, impossible? No. Because we have Flight of the Conchords, the show about a couple of hilarious Kiwi's in New York, trying to get their novelty band off the ground. Now, it was probably over dramatic to say Flight of the Conchords is the only funny show that can be viewed on endless repeat, but it is one of very few (Arrested Development, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, How I Met Your Mother among some of mine). Bret and Jemaine, the two men playing a dulled down version of themselves, are best when performing their songs. They are funny and smart (the songs, not the characters), and the duos comedy album is just as fantastic as the show. "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" and "If Your Into It" are my favorite of their songs, but there are so many other classics. All I can say is, thank god their popularity is growing. Plus, incompetent manager Murray (Rhys Darby) and creepy fan Mel (Kristen Schaal) add an infectious charm to the show.

Genre - Comedy (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (3)

Damages (Season 1)

Finally. A law show that isn't about law. At least not really. No fancy court hearings, no winning over juries, no celebrations each week over the last big win. Instead, Damages gives us a show about lawyers and the work they do behind the scenes, which mostly involves murder, attempted murder, covering up crimes, backstabbing, and living lives that twist and turn with fantastic mystery. I hear that is what law is really like. But seriously, Damages is a fantastic show. It is sharp and quick, and the writers make sure you never know what really is going on. Glenn Close is wonderful as Patty Hewes, creating a character that has truly evil sides, but never becomes a villain. Ted Danson, Tate Donovan, and Rose Byrne all up the ante. But it is Zeljko Ivanek who shines. He is the lawyer representing Danson's Arthur Frobisher, and he steals any scene he's in, even from Close. This is a show that deserves a chance, and the mystery behind season one will keep you guessing until the finale. Watch it, already.

Genre - Drama (3.5)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Season 1)

Here is a show that is fun to watch, but doesn't amount to much more. The first two films were fun, but emotional. They were hard-hitting and mean. The third film was mediocre, but had great action scenes. The Sarah Connor Chronicles falls somewhere between the second film and the third, both chronologically and in quality. Because it's on basic cable, the John Connor and Sarah Connor of the films are changed, mostly because they cannot swear or bloody up too many people. They are the softer, family friendly versions, but the pair are still brooding enough to stay interesting. The first season starts slow, but builds to something better near the finale. And thanks are owed to Brian Austin Green, who plays John's uncle Derek Reese and is one of the compelling reasons to watch. He is the most capable actor on the show, playing the most interesting character. The Sarah Connor Chronicles had the chance to do so much more, but in the end it chose to be just another action show with characters we know from superior works.

Genre - Action (2.5)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (3)
Production (3)
Directing (2)

Wonderfalls (Season 1)

Another quirky gem by mastermind Bryan Fuller axed by the studio too soon. Wonderfalls, like Dead Like Me before it and Pushing Daisies after, is bright, colorful, whimsy, and fun. Jaye (Caroline Dhavernas) can hear animals talk, but only when they're inanimate objects. So toys, drawings, sculptures - anything that looks like an animal and has a face. Exactly the kind of thing Fuller does best. And while the novelty may lie with Jaye and her bossy animal pals, the real reason Wonderfalls works is because of its supporting cast. Lee Pace, who would later star in Fuller's Pushing Daisies, along with Katie Finneran, Tracie Thoms, William Sadler, and Tyron Leitso are all wonderful in their roles. The scripts balance episode plot lines and season story arcs well, if only for the thirteen episodes that were made. It would have been nice to see where Fuller and crew took Jaye, maybe finding a reason for her "gift", but alas, good television is not always meant to last. A worthy addition to Fuller's other work, though too bad the man can't keep a show on the air longer than two seasons (damn studios). Maybe one day.

Genre - Comedy (3.5)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

How I Met Your Mother (Season 1)

Give this underrated sitcom a chance. After watching but a few episodes of Ted, Marshall, Barney, Lily, and Robin interact with each other you'll be hooked. They are a close-knit group of friends, and damn them if they aren't charming. Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Marshall (Jason Segel) are the scene stealing duo of the show. Ted may be the one searching for the future mother of his children, but those two take all the attention when on screen. The show is consistently hilarious throughout its first season, and the writing is so cleverly intertwined. When television has no Seinfeld, or Arrested Development, How I Met Your Mother is the perfect replacement. If only it had no laugh track, the show would be a flawless work of art (it isn't really that big a deal, just a pet peeve).

Genre - Comedy (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (4)

Mad Men (Season 1)

Here is a show that is consistent from start to finish. Subtly cool, and often sleazy in doing so, Mad Men is a mind blowing dramatic series from AMC. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) leads a young team of advertisers keen to drink, smoke and get laid, mostly while on the job. Set in the 1960s, and located on Madison Avenue in New York City, Mad Men imitates the look and feel of the decade to a T. The sets, costumes, props all seem to have been taken straight from the 60s and placed in this period drama. Mathew Weiner has created a dark, gritty primetime series and his crack writing team continues to up the ante without taking shortcuts or falling prey to the usual cliches that tend to plague Hollywood. The characters are interesting, the words they speak are interesting, and their world is interesting. Some may not understand the shows buzz and critical acclaim right away, but it will only take a few episodes to get hooked. It's not too late to start.

Genre - Drama (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (3)

Burn Notice (Season 1)

The show you should be watching, but probably aren't. Burn Notice is the most recent series to star Bruce Campbell, of Evil Dead trilogy fame, and despite that, it has not been canceled. Which is good, because he is excellent in it. But the lead role belongs to Jeffrey Donovan, who can work wonders with dry, witty characters. Just check him out in the short-lived series Touching Evil, if you can find it. Michael Westen (Donovan) is a spy who is burned, i.e. booted from the spy business, and must track down the person responsible. Why? Because he damn well can. Oh, yeah, he also helps people out, using his spy skills to solve their problems. Cool, I know. The episodes are funny and fresh, which mix well with the shows sunny Miami locale. So get out there, rent/buy the series, and hopefully you'll fall in love with it. I'm sure us fans would love to have you.

Genre - Action (3.5)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (4)

Heroes (Season 2)

Sophomore slump is too gentle a term to define the atrocious second season of Heroes. After writing genius Bryan Fuller left the show after the first season to create the magical series Pushing Daisies, the show seemed to suffer from a case of the shits. Everything that made the first season special was gone. Storylines became too bogged down, characters too pathetic. A real letdown. The writing staff must take the majority of the blame, because they ceased being able to craft worthy stories, and made me quit caring about the super-human characters they created. On the surface, Heroes looks fine. But no matter how good that crisp, clean, HD picture is, a crappy story is still a crappy story. Fans are still waiting for a return to form. Let's hope Fuller rejoining the writing team will solve the problems that pale the show. That is a hefty burden we place on your shoulders, Mr. Fuller. Good luck.

Genre - Sci-Fi/Drama (1.75)

Screenplay (1)
Acting (2)
Production (2)
Directing (2)

Pushing Daisies (Season 1)

Let the world hear it: I am in love. This show has swept me off my feet, and it is the truest love I've known. Be this as it may, there are still complications in this relationship. Problems are unavoidable. Shit happens, as they say. That shit, well, was the writers strike. While I supported the WGA during their months long strike, it ended Pushing Daisies first season prematurely and as a result, probably led to its ultimate demise the following season. But lets not get hung-up on the hang-ups. Ned (Lee Pace), the pie maker with the ability to bring the dead back to life for sixty seconds, along with the rest of the cast, is phenomenal. Kristin Chenoweth, Chi McBride, and Anna Friel all. The colors and sets are so bright and attractive, it makes loving it so much easier. Bryan Fuller has created a whimsy masterpiece too good for television. Not shocking, I guess. Again, for those in the back: I am in love.

Genre - Comedy (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Lost (Season 1)

The show that keeps on giving. But season 1 of Lost starts us off with a bang. Before you knew the mysteries, Ben, the flashbacks, the endless questions, there was the pilot. It introduced us to the island bound castaways, struggling to live after their plane crashes. You haven't seen anything like Lost before (shut up about Gilligan's Island), both in front and behind the screen. From episode 1 to its jaw-dropping season finale, Lost grabs hold and doesn't let go. Watch as Jack, Locke, Sawyer, and Kate battle outside forces (monster?) and those within their ranks. J.J. Abrams has created one of the best shows television has ever seen. Lets just hope it ends as well as it began.

Genre - Drama (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (3)
Production (4)
Directing (4)